Automation for train models (3)

Passing through issue

While we are busy mangling Peco switches, let’s point out and correct
a very annoying “detail” of the large radius turnouts (SLE 186
and 187).

The Y 6400 (EPM) and 7400 (LSM) switchers
have a wheelbase — 3540 mm or 41 mm at 1:87 scale —
which exactly corresponds to two insulated zones of the blades (the frog
point and the separation between fixed and switch rails). So
inevitable stop at low speed.

This will also be the case for the future REE DU65 draisine:
3600 mm or 41.4 mm to scale.

Solution: move the insulating area to one side or the other. For
reasons of firmness, the new location of the insulation should remain
above a sleeper, hence the new possible positions: 34 or 48. The value
34 brings us closer to the wheelbase of certain bogies of cars
(3 metres, or 34.5 to 1:87 scale). The best is therefore 48 (Note:
the Y 8400 Roco has a 63.5 mm wheelbase, the C 61000
Jouef 52.8 mm and the Y 50100 Electrotren 45.4 mm).

So, we must:

Remove current insulation

cut the rail 7 mm to the right compared to this insulation

move this coupon to the left, glue it on the sleepers and solder it
to the rail

reconstruct an insulation on the right, with a small piece of plastic
glued with araldite then filed in shape.

When I speak of right and left, it is compared to the picture.

Obviously (Murphy’s law), I was wrong and shortened
the gap instead of lengthening it. But I have an excuse: I realized the
problem when the tracks were already in place and I had to operate in
situ. The hardest thing was to solder the small rail coupons without
too much deforming the plastic of the sleepers.

And, one year later, I realize that the 030-TU has a wheelbase of
35 mm! Aaaargh!